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Response time for instructions

Software checkpoint 5.1

Provide an option to adjust response times on timed instructions or allow the instructions to persist.

Rationale

Techniques

Testing



Rationale

Applications that require the user to respond to information within a specified amount of time will not be accessible to someone who has difficulty reading or responding to the information that requires a quick response. Response delays may also be caused by the use of screen readers or by the use of screen magnifiers that magnify only a portion of the screen. Applications with timed instructions must alert the user that the application will time out and provide the ability to indicate that additional time is needed.

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Development techniques

Use one or more of the following techniques to meet Checkpoint 5.1 from the IBM Software Accessibility Checklist:

  • Provide an option which enables users to allow timed instructions to persist.
  • Notify users when a process is going to time-out and allow them to indicate whether more time is needed.
  • Do not have timed responses for important messages. Display the message until the user closes it.

Testing techniques

Test the software to ensure that it complies with accessibility requirements.

Tools

There are no tools required to test this checkpoint.


Techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

Action Result
1. If timed instructions are persistent:
  • Start the software and go to the section with timed instructions.
  • Delay responding to the instructions and verify they do not time out.
 Pass:
  • Timed instructions remain on the screen until they are dismissed by the user.
Fail:
  • Timed instructions automatically timeout and the user does not have an option to request more time to respond to the instructions.
2. If timed instructions do not persist:
  • Start the software and go to the section with timed instructions.
  • Delay responding to the instructions until a warning is displayed that the instructions will timeout.
 Pass:
  • The user is notified before instructions time out and given the opportunity to indicate more time is needed to complete the process.
Fail:
  • The user is not notified before instructions time out, so the information displayed on the screen is lost.
  • The user is notified before the instructions time out, but not given an option to request more time to complete the operation.

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©2001, 2008 IBM Corporation

Last updated January 23, 2008.

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